Counter for pinochle or similar games.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS JOHNSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

COUNTER FOR PINOCHLE OR SIMILAR GAMES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 713,444, dated November 11, 1902.

Application filed May 31, 1902. Serial No. 109,592. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Lotus V. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Countors for Pinochle or Similar Games, of which the following is a specification.

My invention aims to provide an improved counter or score-keeper for pinochle and similar games, and especially for games in which the separate counts made are large and the correct scoring is therefore a matter of some little difficulty.

My invention aims to provide also a counter of the character specified which shall show simultaneously the total score and also the last melt or separate count added.

My invention provides also various other improvementsspecified in detail hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a counter embodying the invention, Figure 1 is a plan View, partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a partial section of a different form of the counter.

My improved counter comprises a total-indicator consisting of an endless tape marked with a continuous succession of numbers from zero up to the number of points in a complete game and a fixed device for exposing only a single number of the total-indicator at a time, whereby the tape will indicate the total; a separate-count indicator comprising a stationary plate marked with a continuous succession of numbers fromaero up, according to the separate counts possible in the game, the numbers on both said indicators being equidistantly spaced and the total-indicator being arranged with a portion thereof in proximity to the fixed separate-count indicator and adapted to move parallel therewith and having its numbers increasing in the opposite direction, and a pin or similar device adapted to engage the tape at a point adjacent to the zero of the separate-count indicator and carry said point from zero to the amount of the separate count, so that the final position of the pin will indicate the last separate count scored, while the tape automatically adds this last separate count to the previous score and indicates the total. The simultaneous indication of the last separate count scored and of the total is a particularly valuable feature, since the only error which can occur is not in the addition, butin the count scored, and since the position of a pin will show clearly whether the count scored was the correct one or not.

The counter may be arranged to keep a single score or any other number of scores as, for example, four--the' indicators in this case being arranged alongside of each other, so as to show at a glance the relative standing of the players. Preferably, also, I arrange in proximity to each counter and on the face of the case a dial for recording the total number of games scored. The endless tape is preferably arranged in a box or case, running backward and forward over a series of rollers therein, so as to get the necessary length for containing the large numbers required in a game such as pinochle. The top of the case is marked with suitable numbers to form a separate-count indicator. A slit is provided in the top alongside the separatecount indicator, and a portion of the tape between two successive rollers is arranged immediate] y below the separate count indicator and the slit and is provided with perforations corresponding to each of the numbers on it, the perforations being immediately below the slit and the numbers immediately below the separate-count indicator,so as to conceal such numbers. At a point above or below the separate-count indicator an opening is provided in the top of the box, which exposes one number on the total-indicator. The pin being inserted in the slit adjacent to the zeropoint of the separate'count indicatoris moved along, carrying with it the tape to the figure representing the separate count made. The tape is moved forward a corresponding distance and adds the separate count to the previous total scored.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, A is the tape, forming, with an opening B in the top 0 of the box, the total-indicator, the total being indicated at the opening B, which may be provided with a pane of glass D to protect the figures from dust or wear. The box E may be of any suitable shape and size to carry the necessary number of rollers F, around which the endless tape is passed.

Preferably these rollers are of considerable size, so as to make the movement of the tape easy. The rollers are preferably carried on shafts G, extending transversely through the box. I propose to use for the tape, A either steel or very strong linen or other suitable material, so that there shall be substantially no stretching of the tape; but in the course of time it may be necessary to take up a very slight amount of slack in the tape, and for this purpose one of the shafts, as G, is preferably carried in slots H in the sides of the box and is engaged at its ends by an L-shaped member J, the inturned end J of which is screw-threaded and engaged by a screw K, passing through the end of the box. By screwing up the screws K the members J and the shaft G are drawn toward the end of the box and any slack in the tape is taken up. The top Q of the box carries one or more separate-count indicators L, consisting of a series of equally-spaced numbers from zero up to any desired point. I have shown it such that a count of one hundred and seventy-five may be scored up at once. It may, however, be made greater or less. It may even be made less than the maximum separate count possible. For example, if it were made only one hundred a count of one hundred and seventy-five could be scored up by scoring first the one hundred and then the seventy-five. The figures on the tape run below the separate-count indicator and are thus at the same time protected from sight and also from dust or wear. The tape is preferably provided with a number of perforations M corresponding to the fig ures on it and arranged in line immediately below the slit N of the top of the box.

A pin 0, which at its lower end fits into the perforations M, is used for moving the tape. Where a number of scores are kept on the same counter, a corresponding number of pins will be used, and they may be made different from each other, as by coloring them difierently, so as to show at a glance whose score is indicated. It is a particular advantage of my invention that it keeps the last melt or separate count as well as the total score, and the provision of separate pins for the several players is a distinguishing feature in this connection. The total scores might be registered by the use of a single pin moved from one to the other of the individual counters; but this would not so well serve the purpose of the invention, since it would fail to indicate the last separate counts scored for each of the individual players. Preferably the pin 0 is tapered at its lower end, as indicated in Fig. 2, and the top 0 of the box is provided with a socket P, in which the pin may be placed when not in use. In

order to prevent forcing the pin accidentally too far through the tape and unnecessarily enlarging the perforations and in order to make it easy to engage the tape by holding the latter flat, I may provide a plate Q immediately below the tape between the two upper rollers and which is preferably provided with a groove R immediately in line with the perforations, so as to prevent lateral motion of the pin and so that the strain on the tape will be in a straight direction. I may provide also at any suitable point on the tape-as, for example, at the head of each counter-a game-counter S, consisting of a dial and a hand to be moved around with the finger. It may, for example, be numbered from one to ten, as shown.

The opening through which the total score appears is not necessarily in the top of the box. For example, it may advantageously be arranged at an angle, as shown at B in Fig. 3, so that it may be seen either from above or from an end view, and in this case, as well as in the other, it may be provided with a pane of glass D.

Though I have described with great particularity of detail a device embodying my invention, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and described. Various modifications of the same are possible to those skilled in the art without departure from the invention. For example, I have shown a single set of numbers at one edge of the case, composing a separate-count indicator to be used for all of the four counters shown; but I may repeat these numbers for each or for any number of the counters, or I may arrange the set of numbers between two successive slits N, so as to be in immediate juxtaposition to each.

In starting a game the tape is moved by a pin either backward or forward till the zero appears at the opening B. Then as each separate count is made the proper pin 0 is inserted in the perforation M opposite the zero-point of the separate-count indicator and drawn downward to the proper figure. At each scoring the separate count will be added to the total and the pin will be left in position to indicate the separate count which has been scored up. Thus in the two counters shown in full in Fig. 1 the totals are six hundred and seventy and nine hundred and ninety, and the last separate counts made are fifty and one hundred, respectively. The game-indicators show that neither party has completed a game yet.

The box may be made of any suitable material and is preferably heavy, so as to permit the moving of the tape without the box slipping on the table. For example, the sides may be of aluminium and the base of heavy cast-iron.

What I claim is In a pinochle-counter, a total-indicator comprising an endless tape marked with a continuous succession of numbers in multiples of five from zero up to the number of points in a game, a separate-count indicator comprising a stationary plate marked with a continuous succession of numbers in multiples of IIO five from zero up according to the separate counts possible in the game, the numbers on both said indicators being eqnidistantly spaced, a fixed device for exposing only a single number on said total-indicator whereby the tape will indicate the total, said totalindicator being arranged with a portion thereof in proximity to said separate-count indicator and adapted to move parallel therewith, and having its numbers increasing in the opposite direction, a pin adapted to engage said tape at a point adjacent to the zero of said separate-count indicator and to carry said point from zero to the amount of 

